CD-Charts Position 1
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Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971

by: The Byrds

Release Date June 02, 2008
This concert, which came out of Roger McGuinn's personal archives, demonstrates what a great band the Byrds were 'live' in 1971, and is far superior to any of the studio recordings made by the McGuinn, White, Battin and Parsons version of the band.

As a previous reviewer implied, the sound isn't perfect and the vocals are a bit up front, but the sheer quality of the content far outweighs any minor production/mastering flaws.

I am very happy that this has finally seen the light of day and it once again shows just how great Clarence White's guitar playing was before his sad passing.

The album features 18 great tracks from all periods of the Byrds and is a great investment for any Byrds fan. Whilst to some ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Sweetheart of the Rodeo: Remastered

by: The Byrds

Release Date March 24, 1997
I've had this album since it was first released. I would say that it has got to be one of the dozen or so essential albums in any popular music lovers collection, and in this expanded version is a must buy.
My fellow reviewers have given you the details, I just advise you to do yourselves a big favour & add this to your collection, I promise you won't be disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Crystal Tears - John Dowland and his contemporaries (Andreas Scholl/Concerto di Viole)

from: Harmonia Mundi

Release Date May 26, 2008
Delightful, exquisite. Some echo, but otherwise lovely sound. It took me a while to accept the countertenor sound as anything other than a good party trick. But I now love the sound as much as the output from any decent tenor, baritone, saoprano or mezzo.

There's been some criticism that Scholl might be overstylised for this material - but that is just Scholl's wonderful technique. If you want a more informal style, then try Sting's take on Dowland. Personally - I like both.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Supersized EP

by: Danny Byrd

Release Date May 26, 2008
Many fans of liquid funk and similar music may already know the strength of this album. Its been widely publicised by Hospital Records on its podcasts, radio shows, and events. A truely excellent album, I'm loving every second of it.

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Very Best of the Byrds

by: The Byrds

Release Date June 23, 1997
As an encapsulation of "the best of The Byrds" this is a pretty unbeatable CD... just about every track from what must be one of the most under-rated groups from the whole of the 60s features folk-rock, psychedelic-rock and country-rock at it's highest levels and, if all you know about them is a couple of their hit records, there's no better place to discover what's made them a key reference point for a huge number of groups over the past 40 years.

And then? Well the good news is that, for not a great deal more, there's so much more on offer. Ignore the boxed sets and zero in on their five key, recently expanded, mid 60s albums - "Mr Tambourine Man", "Turn, Turn, Turn", Fifth Dimension", "Younger Than Yesterday" & "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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The Notorious Byrd Brothers: Remastered

by: The Byrds

Release Date March 24, 1997
Notorious Byrd Brothers is perhaps best known for the internal rivalry between the band members and the sacking of David Crosby mid-recording. This is the album where individual differences found their voice and the band started to fall apart (although the seeds were sown on the previous album). Notorious seems to benefit from this fracturing of the band's spirit, it is an album of immense beauty; it is melodic and warm, yet clothed in a more wary and questioning outlook on the world. The melancholy that i argue exists in most of the band's work has come to the fore, and prevails in an album that is uneasy and moody; it's relaxing yet slightly dark, innocence ('Dolphin's smile') does battle with scepticism ('Draft Morning', sleepy melodies are punctuated by guitar feedback ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Places and Spaces

by: Donald Byrd

Release Date February 24, 1997
This is an album that I came to fairly late (in relative terms), having heard DJ Jazzy Jeff use elements of 'Change (Makes You Want To Hustle)' and 'Places And Spaces' in the track 'A Touch Of Jazz'. Having liked the short pieces Jeff used it was relatively easy to find out what the tracks were and this naturally led to wanting to hear more of Donald Byrd. That eventually led me to this album.

This is Jazz-Funk at its very best, and as other reviewers have indicated, the production work of the Mizzel Brothers stands out. Jazz purists might be tempted to scoff at the notion of this strange hybrid, a fusion of Jazz, Funk and other elements of popular Black music, but for listeners seeking 'the groove' this album will draw you in through its sheer listenability and standard ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Agnus Dei, Vols 1 & 2 [BOX SET]

from: Erato

Release Date February 14, 2000
When life gets on top from time to time and you want to connect to your spiritual self, play this music.

It's ethereal high notes and superb choral timing will bring tears to your eyes. This music will send tinglies up your spine and wash your cares gently in its human resonance bath.

Bob Wallum

CD-Charts Position 9
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Masses for 4 and 5 Voices (Christophers, the Sixteen)

by: William Byrd

Release Date August 05, 2002
A truly enjoyable performance by The Sixteen. These 2 masses presented on these CD's are both moving and distinctively conducted by Harry Christophers. You must buy this if you are into Renaissance Masses especially with many Voices. You won't regret this!

CD-Charts Position 10
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Fifth Dimension

by: The Byrds

Release Date May 06, 1996
This really is one of those albums that changed everything. Before Sgt Peppers, before Piper at the Gates of Dawn there was Fifth Dimension. If you've heard "Turn, Turn, Turn" and "Mr Tambourine Man" you could be mistaken for thinking the Byrds were purely a light folk, sing-along pop group. This album does have moments like that, most notably the title track, "Wild Mountain Tyne" and "John Riley", but there's much more besides. "Mr Space Man" provides the first hint that we're into uncharted territory. It's funny, and as the title suggests, a little spacey. Then "I See You" kicks in, and you know you're listening to a first-rate psychedelic album. The thing is with the Byrds, no matter how weird they get they always manage to keep it tuneful and accessible. This is especially true of ... Read More: